CSU, Boeing Foundation Team Up to Support Science Teachers

Professional development seminars will be held at different informal science centers
like the Aquarium of the Pacific (above) and university sites in Los Angeles, Orange
and San Diego counties.

September 10, 2009
By Teresa Ruiz

Science educators in Southern California will receive added support and training starting next spring thanks to a $49,000 grant from the Boeing Foundation.The CSU will use the funds to align professional development programs for K-12 science teachers with informal science education centers like museums, zoos, and aquariums.

The Professional Development for Informal Science Educators (PDISE) program will leverage the knowledge of CSU science experts to help science educators re-examine and improve their approaches to teaching. A series of workshops are planned to help science education centers work more closely with K-12 teachers, and develop additional science teaching initiatives with students. The goal is to improve instruction and programs such as school tours and classroom outreach at the community science centers. The unique program leverages the strengths of science centers and CSU campuses through continuous collaborations to support science learning and teaching in local schools and communities. Other program highlights include:

CSU credential students may be able to attend select sessions

Participants can receive university credit through CSU Long Beach Extension